I. ˈbrüm, -u̇m noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English brōm; akin to Old High German brāmo bramble, Middle High German brem edge — more at brim
1.
a. : any of various leguminous shrubs chiefly of the genera Cytisus and Genista with long slender branches, upright growth, small leaves, and usually showy yellow flowers
b. : broom tree 1
c. : heather 1a
2. : a bundle of firm stiff plant shoots or twigs (as of the tops of broomcorn or of birch spray) or of natural or artificial fibers bound tightly together usually on a long handle and used for sweeping and brushing — compare brush I
3. : the tops of a common broom ( Cytisus scoparius ) formerly used in medicine as a diuretic
4. : witches'-broom
5. : woodwaxen
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
1. : to sweep with or as if with a broom:
a. : to cleanse by sweeping
broom off the hearth
b. : to gather by sweeping
she broomed up the pieces of the broken jar
c. : to finish (as a surface) by means of a broom
brooming the fresh concrete surface gives a pleasing finish
d. : to apply (as roofing cement or filler in a brick or block pavement) with a broom
carefully broom the asphalt into the felt
2. : to fray or splinter (as a log) at the end by mechanical means
a broomed stick makes a handy stirrer